NASA/CSA Space Apps Challenge hackathon,

About the event

2018 is the first year in which a NASA Space Apps Challenge will be hosted in Edmonton. We hope to bring together the brightest students from all across Canada’s western provinces to share their ideas, network with peers, and explore their creativity through the lens of a series of international challenges.

What makes this hackathon special is that it is incredibly interdisciplinary and exploration of various problem solving strategies is encouraged. From 3D-printers to a nearby clinical environment, this hackathon is designed to help produce a variety of ideas. Approximately 100 excellent thinkers in a variety of programs are expected to attend the 2018 Space Apps Challenge at the University of Alberta.

A Global Community: Last Year’s hackathon

NASA’s Space Apps is an international hackathon that occurs over 48 hours in cities around the world. The 2017 Space Apps Challenge saw 187 events in more than 25,000 people participating across six continents. In 2018, we want to bring the hackathon to Edmonton.

Incubation and Innovation

We’re excited to continue the tradition of inviting students and professionals, beginners and veterans from all corners of the globe to join in, particularly those in western Canada. Many of the ideas from the hackathons over the years have led to entrepreneurs starting new companies (e.g. Waterloo’s Sky Watch). The challenges aren’t just for programmers. According to NASA “teams need project managers, designers, artists, educators, writers – anyone who can help advance the cause.”

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

We are working with the CSA this year to provide open datasets and CSA awards! The best solution or tool developed in response to each of the CSA challenges will be selected from the finalists nominated in each Canadian location. These creations will be featured on the CSA website and winning team members will receive CSA swag and a VIP invitation to visit the John H. Chapman Space Centre, CSA headquarters.

Edmonton’s Space Apps Challenge website:  here

Panel on left depicts various images, taken from the CSA 2017 Space Apps Challenge prompts.

The Theme This Year

The 2018 International Space Apps Challenge is happening October 19-21! Last year’s Space Apps produced more than 2,000 solutions created by more than 25,000 participants from all corners of the world, using NASA’s and the CSA’s open data to improve life on planet Earth. Earth and space! This year's theme invites curiosity about our home planet as well as what lies far beyond it. Whether you’re focused on thriving in space— like FractalNet's 2016 Best Mission Concept solution, a communicative data glove worn by astronauts in subterranean environments— or life on Earth— like Lemon Py's 2017 Best Use of Data solution, an app to help Buenos Aires residents minimize pollen exposure using data on city trees.

The Six Challenge Categories This Year

1. CAN YOU BUILD A...

2. HELP OTHERS DISCOVER THE EARTH

3. VOLCANOES, ICEBERGS, AND ASTEROIDS (OH MY)

4. WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS...

5. AN ICY GLARE

6. A UNIVERSE OF BEAUTY AND WONDER

More details here. YEG devpost site here.

Images from 2018 NASA Space Apps post (URL)

Why should you sponsor?

The hackathon provides a unique platform to address the country’s young leaders. Through our sponsorship package, your organization has the opportunity to provide promotional material, funding for meals and beverages during the hackathon, present a booth during the event, and reward attendees with both networking opportunities and prizes.

Aissiou Aissiou

We are a group of Medical, Science, Engineering, and Arts students at the University of Alberta organizing this event together to promote problem-solving, creativity, and interdisciplinary collaboration with the help of NASA and the CSA. 

Contact the Organizer Contact the Organizer